Marking machine



w. H. CHRISTOPHEL. JR

MARKING MACHINE July 29; 1930.

Filed Oct. 29, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheqt l July 29,. 1930. w. H. CHRISTOPHEL.JR 1,771,399

MARKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 29, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet. 2

I 36 as 3 /05 I 31 9! i /Nl/ENTORB .hfly 29,1930 w. H. CHRISTQPHEL, JR1,771,399

MARKING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2 1928 I1" ..'lZ7

4 Sheets-Shae).- 4

INVENTOR:

Patented July 29, 1930 UNITED STATES, PATENT". OFFICE WILLIAM H.oHnIs'ror'nEL, an, or nonwoon, 0x10, ASSIGNORTQ THE- WOLF momma COMPANY,or CINCINNATI, 01110, A CORPORATION or 01110 MARKING MACHINE Applicationfiled October 29, 1928. Serial No. 815,742.

My invention relates to marking'machines for marking the respectivelayers of a pile of fabric employable in the clothing industry and otherindustries in which fabric is operated on.

- Exemplifying its use in the clothing industry it may be stated thatWhere garments are made in quantity on similar patterns, it is thepractice to lay the fabric or cloth in la ers to form a pile of thefabric, the pile of fa ric being out throughout its thickness accordingto the desired pattern for forming layers of such piled fabric. Thelayers of fabric, either prior to or after the cutting, are providedwith marks to denote the location of flaps, buttons, button holes,pockets and for other purposes, in order to serve as guides insubsequent operations upon the material.

The means now in general use for marking such layers of fabric have beenfound unsatisfactory for. various reasons. Instancing such objections itmay be stated that thread devices are slow and uncertain, besides beingtedious and expensive, and that the perforations, made by devices whichmerely pierce the goods, are not readily discernible by the operatorintending to use the perforations as guides for such subsequentoperations.

It is the object of my invention to overcome such objections and toprovide a device arranged to make marks in superposed layers which arereadily discernible in the respective layers, and which can beaccurately and economically placed. I I

It is the object of my invention further to provide a slender markingpart for the respective layers of the pile of fabric, and a shield forsaid marking part so arranged as to shield the marking medium conveyedto the respective layers of the pile of fabric by the marking part;further, to provide telescopable parts the outer one of whichis'arranged to perform the main piercing operation and the inner one ofwhich is arranged to perform the marking operation; further, to providea rotatable piercing needle and an inner marking needle arranged toconvey the marking material to the respective layers, the outer piercingneedle serving as a shield for such marking material; and, further, toso arrange the parts that the shield is moved out of the pile of fabricwhile the marking needle with the marking material thereon claims, andfrom the drawings, in which latter: 1

Fig.1 represents a front elevation of myimproved device in position foruse.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same, partly in sectionon the'line 33of Fig. 1, and partly broken away.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of my improved device, partly broken away,showing the piercing needle in depressed relation for piercingthe'goods, with the marking needle correspondingly lowered but with itslower end at the top portion of the piercing needle.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, with the marking needle also in depressedrelation.

Fig. 6 is a similar view, but showing the marking needle maintained indepressed relation and the piercing needle in relatively raised.relation.

Fig. 7 is an axial section of my improved device, taken on the line 7-7of Fig. 2, showing the parts in normally raised relation, and partlybroken away.

Fig. Sis a horizontal section of a detail.

of my improved device, taken in the plane of the line 88 of Fig. 7, andpartly broken away.

Fig. 9 is an axial section of my improved device, taken on the line 99of Fig. 1, partly broken away, and showing the needles sep-' arated fromtheir attaching means.

Figs. 10 and 11 respectively, are cross-sectional detail views of myimproved device, respectively in the lanes of the lines 10-10 and11--11of Fig.

- Fig. 12 is a detail in section in the plane of the line 12-12 of Fig.13. v

Fig. 13 is an enlarged az zial section, taken in the plane of the line1313 of Fig. 12,

showing the manner of shielding the coating on the piercing needle andtransferring it to the fabric; and,

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of a modification of my improved device.

In the present cxemplification of my invention there is an outerpiercing part 20 and an inner marking part 21, which are permittedrelative reciprocation so as to place the iercing part at the outside inpiercing the abric 22, and to expose the marking part in the piercedlayers of fabric, by moving the piercing part out of the pile of fabric,the marking part being provided with suitable marking materialtransferred to the walls of the perforations left by the piercing part,

for providing the respective layers of the pile of fabric with markings,readily discernible by the operator in subsequent operatlons upon therespective layers of fabric. The piercing part is exemplified as atubular needle provided with a piercing end 23 for readily piercing thepile of fabric.

The marking part is exemplified as a marking stem or shank, hereinafterreferred to as a marking needle, and is arranged to be :ficeived in thebore 24: of the piercing nee- The means for supplying the markingne'edle with marking material is exemplified as a reservoir 25, in whicha body 26 of mark- 1ng material is contained. This marking material maybe anysuitable substance for the purpose, and may for-instance be colorpigments in a suitable carrier, preferably a slow drying oil, such asglycerine. The reservoir 1S Sl1OWl1 coaxial with the piercing needle andwlth the marking needle. The lower end of the marking needle preferablysubstantially closes the lower end of the reservoir into the bore of thepiercing needle, when the markmg needle is in its uppermost position.(See Fig. 7 There is preferably a wiping pad 29 at the upper end of thereservoir, for wipmg the marking needle during raising movements of themarking needle, and maintainmg the marking material in the reservoir.

The relative diameters between the marking needle and the bore of thepiercin needle are preferably such that upon re ative movement betweenthe marking needle and the piercing needle in directions to move themarking needle into the piercing needle or to expose the marking needlebeyond the piercing needle, sufficient of the marking material isimparted to the outer periphery of the marking needle to form a thincoating 30 of the marking material on the marking needle. (See Fig. 13.)

Rotation is also preferably imparted to the needles. Thus a sleeve 31 isjournaled by bearings 32 in upright position in a frame 33. The sleevehas a worm-wheel 3a rigid therewith, which is meshed by a worm 35 on therotor-shaft 36 of an electric motor 37 supported by the frame.

. The sleeve has a lower threaded end 41 about which the upper threadedend of the reservoir 25 is threaded. (See Fig. 9.) The wiper 29 islocated between the lower end of the sleeve and an annular shoulder -12in the reservoir. The wiper may be a felt wiper, and is provided with anaperture 43 through which the marking needle is received.

A spindle 45 is axially reciprocable in the sleeve. The upper end of themarking needle is releasably secured to the lower end of the spindle.For instance, the upper end of the marking needle is provided with ahead 46, provided with an end rabbet 47. A pin 48 is in a socket 49 inthe lower end of the spindle.

(See Figs. 9 and 11.) The pin is at one side of the axis of the spindle.The head has a recess 50 extending from the rabbet 47 for forming a hook51 received above the pm when the head is rotated relatively to thespindle for locking the needle to the spindle. (SeeFigs. 9 and 11.)

A tube 55 extends upwardly from the frame and is preferably rigid withthe frame. A tube 56 telescopes with relation to the tube 55. (See Figs.6 and 7.) A key 57, (Fig. 9), fixed to the tube 56 is received in a slot58 extending lengthwise in the tube 55 for preventlng relative turningbetween the tubes.

There is a bearing 61 between the upper end of the spindle and the upperend of the tube 56. (See Fig. 7 This bearing is shown as a ball-bearing,the inner raceway thereof being received about a reduced end 62 of thespindle between a shoulder 63 on the spindle and nuts 64, 65, threadedto the threaded upper end 66 "of the spindle. A cap 67 is releasablysecured to the upper end of the telescoping tube 56, as by screws 68,and holds the ball-bearing in down position.

The outer raceway of the ball-bearing 61 is positioned between anannular shoulder 69 in the upper end of the tube 56 and an annularflange 7 O on the cap 67. This ball-bearing is represented as a radialand end thrust ballbearing, causing the spindle to move axially with theaxial movement of the tube 56.

The spindle is provided with longitudinal grooves 71 in which balls 72in holes 73 in the sleeve 31 are received, for securing the sleeve andthe spindle rotatively together, but permitting relative axial movementsbetween the sleeve and the spindle. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) The grooves 71are open at the upper end of the shank so that if the nuts 64,65, areremoved, the shank may be moved axially downwardly out of the sleeve(see Fig. 7). The lower end wall of one of the grooves engages the lowerball for limiting upward movement of the upper tube 56.

A readily releasable clamp 75 positions the tube 56 axially relativelyto the tube 55. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) This clamp is shown as a lever thelug 101, and be pivoted at 76 in a lug 77 extending from the tube 56,and having a biting edge 7 8 arranged to bite upon the outer peripheryof the tube 55. The lever has a handle 79 extending lengthwise of thetube 56. A spring 80 is located between the handle and the tube fornormally pressing the handle outwardly for clamping relation of theclamp. The operators hand grasping the tube 56 is arranged to readilygrasp or release the handle 79 for readily clamping and unclamping theclamp.

' represents a supporting plate, from which posts 86 extend rigidlyupwardly. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) The frame 33 is a slidable frame and isprovided with slide bearings 87, slidable up and down on the posts. Anoperating lever 83 is pivoted on a shoulder screw 84 to the frame. Thisframe is normally held in up-position by means of be clamped in adjustedpositions by means of a clamp-screw 93 provided with a handle 94. (SeeFigs. 2, 6 and 7.).

Limiting the descent of the piercing needie .by reason of the adjustablestop avoids injury to the support or table.

The lower end of the 'marking needle is preferably blunt so that injuryto the support or table by it is avoided.' Descent of the marking needlerelatively to the piercing needle and 'the supporting plate. 85 is alsopreferably adj ustably limited, as by a lug 101 on the tube 56 arrangedto strike a stop-rod 102, adjustable up and downin a bearing 103 ina lugon one of the flanges 89, and clamped in adjusted positions in thebearin by a clamp-screw 104. The stop-rod may he provided with a bentend reaching into range of revented from turning in its bearing 103. isforms a stop-for the upper tube 56, gaged by a stationary part,

as by the flange 89, post 86'and supporting plate 85, permittingrelative movement up and down of the frame 33 on the osts while the tube56 and the marking nee 1e are held in down position.

Means are provided for equalizing the pressure upon the lever necessaryto compress the springs throughout the full movement of the, frame 33.As the springs compress they ofi'er greater resistance tocompression. 7For equalizing this resistance I provide the lever with a cam-slot 95,in which a roller 96 jour naled on a pin 97 of a lug 98 extending fromthe supporting plate 85, is received. (See Figs. 4,5 and 6.) Thecam-face of this camslot recedes in increasing ratio laterally from aright line intersecting the pivot of the lever '05 and the beginningportion of the cam-slot, as

the camslot recedes from the pivot. The lever is provided with a handle99.

When the handle is depressed the lowermost more greatly bent portion 100of the cam face coacts with the roller during the first portion of themovement of the lever,

straighter portions of the cam face coacting with the rollerprogressively as, the lever is depressed to further extent and thesprings are compressed to further extent, thereby increasing theleverage as the resistance increases.

The frame is provided with a handle 105 shown extending from the motorcasing. (See Figs. 1, 2 and 3.) The handle may be provided with anelectric switch 106 for respectively controlling, energizing andstopping the motor.

The frame may be provided with a cover 107 for an electric light bulb108, thecover being provided with an opening 109 for projecting the raysof light from the electric light bulb,to an opening 110 in thesupport-Iing plate 85, so that the point of desired application of the markingtool may be readily perceived. (See Figs. 3, 12 and 13.)

There is preferably a guide 111 extendmg from the wall of the opening,the guide being preferably a narrow guide provided wlth a hole 112through which'the piercing needle is receivedand by the wall of which itis guided. (See Fig. 12.)

In the modification shownin Fig. 14, the supporting plate 85 issupported b an overhanging arm 115 of a goose-neck; rame 116,

the lower port-ion 117 of which forms a support for the pile of fabric,exemplified at 22'.

In employing my improved device, and referring to Figs. 1 to 13inclusive, the frame 33 is normally in raised relation. The upper tube56 is also normally in raised relation. This relation of the parts isexemplified in Figs. 1, 3 and 7. When it is desired to mark the fabric,the device is placed on the pile of fabric 22, for instance on a patternthereon provided with markings corresponding to the desired markings ofthe layers in the pile of fabric, the end of the piercing needle beingplaced in line with the desired mark.

Movement of the device is readily accom-. plished by the operatorgrasping the upper tube 56 without, however, operating the clamp 7 5, orby means of grasping the handle 105, or both the tube and the handle.

It is understood the motor has beenstarted. The operation of the motorrotates the sleeve .31 and the spindle 45, rotating the piercing needleand the marking needle, the reservoir 25 also rotating in the presentexemplification. The marking needle is in extreme upward position, asexemplified in Fig. 7.

In order to limit the depth-to which the needles shall be lowered for agiven height of pile of fabric, the device is first placed at the edgeof the pile of fabric, and the needles depressed until the lower end ofthe piercing needle touches the surface 118 or table, on which the pileof fabric is laid. The stop 91 is then lowered for causing its lower endto engage the su porting plate 85, the stop being clamped in t isp0s1t1on by the clamp 93. for limiting the downward movements of thepiercing needle in' the subsequent operation upon such pile of fabric.

The tube 56 is then lowered for moving the lower end'of the markingneedle 21 against thesurface or table 118. The stop-rod 102 is thenadjusted in its bearing 103 so as to be engaged by the lug 101 on thetube 56, in which position the stop-rod 102 is clamped in its bearing103 by the clamp-screw 104.. This prevents undue downward pressure uponthe marking needle.

When the stops have been thus positioned, the device is moved so thatthe lower end of the piercing needle is in axial line with the desiredmark on the pile of fabric.

The operator then grasps the handle 99 and depresses the frame 33, whichdepresses the needles in their predetermined relations, as

shown in Fig. 4. This action causes the piercing needle-to pierce thepile of fabric to its full depth, but prevents further axial movement ofthe piercing needle on account of the coaction of the stop 91 with theplate 85.

The operator then grasps the tube 56 and releases the clamp 75 anddepresses the tube, thereby depressing the marking needle, and movingthe lower portion of the marking needle through the reservoir, forcoating the marking needle with themarking material in the reservoir.Fig. 5.) The thick nessof this coatingiis'jflimited b the space betweentheouterperiphery of t e marking needle and the inner periphery of thepiercing needle, (see Fig. .13), the upper end of the wall of the bore24 in the piercing needle 1 serving as a wiper for wiping the desiredthickness of film of marking material on the marking needle. The tube 56is depressed until the lower end of, the marking needle engages thesupporting face or table. This movement takes place" within the piercingneedle, which acts as a shield for the marking needle, for separatingthe markin needle .and the marking material thereon rom the fabric.

This downward movement ofthe marking needle takes place until the lug101 strikes the bent end 102' of the stop-rod 102, for limiting thedownward movement of the marking needle and preventing injury to it.

It will be understood that axial movement of the tube 56 and of themarking needle may take place before the combined axial movements of thepiercing needle and the marking needle, for first placing the lower endof the markingneedle at the lower end of the piercing needle.

the fabric, (see Fig. 13), that is, to the walls of the perforationsmade by the piercing needle in all the layers of the. pile of fabric,for transferring marking material on the marking needle to such walls ofthe perforations in the respective layers.

It will be understood that the piercing needle preferably does not cutthe fibres of the fabric, but merely separates .them for formingtemporary perforations in the fabric, the walls of the perforationscrowding upon the marking needle as soon as the piercing needle israised for receiving the coloring or marking, the perforations, as wellas the coloring or marking, preferably disappearing or being removedafter the subsequent operations upon the fabric.

The tube 56 is then raised, which raises the marking needle and wipesthe marking material on the marking needle against the walls oftheperforations in the respective layers of the pile of fabric. This isa return to the initial position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 7.

The respective layers of the pile of fabric are thereby provided withuniform markings which are readily distinguishable in the respectivelayers. Pigments of various colors may be employed in the markingmaterial, depending on the color of the fabric operated on. Markingmaterial of various constituents may also be employed, depending on thematerialoperated on. Some of the fabric will require marking materialwhich is more readily absorbed than others, or which is morereadilyremoved after performing the subsequent operations on the goods thanothers, some fabrics requiring drier marking material and some wettermarking material. The reservoir and needles are readlly removable forchanging of marking materials and for cleaning.

In the form of device shown in Figs. 1 to -the pile, as hereinbeforeexplained with reference to the form of the device shown in Figs. 1 to13 inclusive. The pile of fabric is manually moved to place therespective markings 'on the pattern inline with the piercing needle.Manipulations of the parts vabove the plate 85 for making the markingsshield therefor for shielding said slender color-imparting marking partwhile entering the respective layers of the fabric, and arranged wherebysaid color on'said slender color-imparting marking part is exposed tothe walls of the perforations made by said shield in the respectivelayers of said piled fabric upon withdrawal of said shield forcolor-marking said respective layers.

2. In combination, in a marking device for marking layers of piledfabric, a slender marking part adapted to be provided with markingpigment, and a shield for said markmg partfor shielding said pigmentwhile said slender marking part'is entering the respective layers of thepiled fabric, and means for withdrawing said shield whereby said markingpigment is exposed to the respective layers of said piled fabricfor'marking said respective layers.

3. A fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pileof fabriccomprising a marking needle, a shield 'thereab'out, means whereby tocause penetration of the fabric by the shield, means whereby to move theshield out of the fabric while permitting the marking needle to remainin the fabric and thereby markingthe respective layers of the pile offabric, and means whereby to move the marking needle out'of the fabric.

4:. A fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile of fabriccomprising a marking needle vprovided with a removable marking coating,a shield thereabout, means whereby to cause penetration of the fabricbythe shield, means whereby to move the shield out of the fabric whilepermitting the marking needle to remain in the fabric and therebytransferring removable marking coating from said marking needle to therespective layers of the pile of fabric, and means whereby to move theneedle out of the fabric.

5. In a fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabric, the combination of a tubular piercing needle, a marking needlearranged for lengthwise movement therein, color imparting means for saidmarking needle, and-means whereby to relatively reciprocate saidneedles.

6. Ina fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile of fabric,the combination of a marking needle, a tubular piercing needle arrangedthereabout, color imparting means for said marking needle, means forrotating said needles, and means whereby to relatively "reciprocatesaidneedles.

7. .In a fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabric, the combination of a tubular piercing needle, a marking needleshielded by said tubular piercing needle, a reservoir for markingmaterial for providing said marking needle with marking material, andmeans whereby to move said needles in piercing directions and to movesaid tubular piercing needle out of the fabric for exposure of saidmarking needle in the respective layers of the fabric for transferenceof marking material from said marking needle to said respective layersof the pile of fabric.

8. In a fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabric, the combination of a tubular piercing needle, a marking needleshielded by said tubular piercing needle, a reservoir for markingmaterial for providing said marking needle with marking material, meansfor rotating said needles, and means whereby to move said needles inpiercing directions and to move said tubular piercing needle out of thefabric for exposure of said marking'needle in the respective layers ofthe fabric for transference of marking material from said marking needleto said respective layers of the pile of fabric.

9. In a fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabric, the combination of a tubular piercing needle, a marking needle 1shielded by said tubular piercing needle, :1 frame, means for rotatingsaid needles on said frame, a support, means whereby to reciprocate saidframe on said support in piercing direction and in opposite direction,and

means whereby to independently axially move said marking needle.

10. In a fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabric, the combination of a tubular piercing needle, a marking needleshielded by said tubular piercing needle, a frame, means for rotatingsaid needles on said frame, a support, compression springs for normallyholding said frame in raised position relatively to said support, andmeans for depressing said frame-on said support comprising a lever, .acam part and a coacting part, one of said parts located on said leverand the other of said parts located on said support and so formed as toequalize the pressure upon said lever throughout the compressivemovements of said springs.

11. In a fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabric, the combination of a tubular piercing needle, a marking needleshielded by said tubular piercing needle, aframe, a reservoir for saidmarkin needle, means for rotatin .saidneedles an i said reservoir on 1said rame, a support, means whereby to reciproca-te said frame on saidsupport in piercing direction and in opposite direction, and meanswhereby to independently axially move said marking needle. 12. In afabric marking device for marking the layers of a' 'pile of fabric, thecombination of a tubular piercing needle, a marking needle shielded bysaid tubular piercing needle, a frame on which said needles are mounted,a support, means whereby to reciprocate said frame on said support inpiercing direction and in opposite direction, means whereby toindependently axially move said marking needle, and an adjustable stopbetween said frame and said support for adjustably limiting movement ofsaid frame toward said support.

13. Ina fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabrie,the combination of a tubular piercing needle, a'marking needleshielded by said tubular piercing needle, a

frame on which said needles are mounted, a

support,'means wherebyto reciprocate said frame on said support inpiercing direction and 1n opposlte direction, means whereby toindependently axially move said marking needle, an adjustable stop forsaid last-named means, and an adjustable stop between said frame andsaid support for adjustably limiting movement of said frame toward saidsuport.

14. In a fabric marking device for marking the layers of a pile offabric, the combination ofa tubular piercing needle, a marking needleshielded by said tubular piercing needle, a

frame, means for rotating said needles on said frame, a support, meanswhereby to reclprocate sa1d frame on sa1d support 1n piercing directionand in opposite direction, means whereby to independently axially movesaid marking needle, and a releasable clamp for said last-named meansfor fixin the axial relation between said marking'needle and saidpiercing needle In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name. Y

WILLIAM H. CHRISTOPHEL, JR.

